Legislative Advocacy Principles of the Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU)

AS-3146-13/FGA (Rev)

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (ASCSU) adopt the following principles to guide its legislative advocacy while working with lawmakers on legislation concerning higher education:

A. To promote academic excellence in The California State University (CSU) and to provide quality education for its students.

B. To promote the retention, and growth of tenure-line faculty across the CSU system as a critical component of academic excellence and quality education.

C. To promote and enhance diversity as a critical component of the academic mission of the CSU.

D. To protect and advance academic freedom and the primacy of faculty in curricular, educational, and professional matters, including academic personnel matters and academically related fiscal matters.

E. To protect shared governance as a means of collective and effective decision making based on historic academic traditions as recognized by California law.

F. To protect the intellectual property rights of faculty and of the California State University.

G. To develop partnerships and collaborate with and across all segments of education, particularly in higher education, to improve accessibility, streamline the admissions process, enhance student achievement and learning, improve efficiency, and provide enriching educational experiences for the residents of California.

H. To promote the participation of, and to recommend, faculty to serve, on boards, councils, committees, conferences, task forces, study groups, and any other groups or entities concerned with matters where faculty representation is desirable or requested.

I. To secure funds necessary for the California State University to fulfill its mission of providing accessible and affordable quality education and preparing the workforce of tomorrow in diverse fields of endeavor.

J. To prioritize legislative efforts based on their potential impact on academic excellence, accessibility, and the mission of the CSU.

; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the ASCSU distribute this resolution to the CSU Board of Trustees, CSU Chancellor, CSU campus Presidents, CSU campus Senate Chairs, CSU Governmental Relations Office, California Faculty Association, Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges, Academic Senate of the University of California, and California State Student Association.

RATIONALE: Recently, state legislative activity affecting California higher education has increased and has addressed subjects such as access, curriculum, and modes of instruction. The ASCSU, as the official voice of the faculty of the California State University in matters of system-wide concern, has become more active in responding to and helping shape proposed higher education legislation. However, since bills move rapidly through the legislature while the ASCSU meets less frequently, it is imperative that the ASCSU adopts legislative principles to guide it in responding to legislative bills quickly through its duly elected and appointed agents. These legislative principles are designed to assist in that regard.